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Breast Ripper

This item was used both as a punitive and an interrogational device. Punitively, it was used red-hot to mark the breast of unmarried mothers. In an inquisitory nature it was used on condemned women - convicted of heresy, blasphemy, adultery, self-induced abortion, erotic white magic and any other crime that the inquisitors selected. The claws were used, either cold or heated, on a female's exposed breasts - rendering them into bloody pulps.

A variation was called the Spider. This consisted of clawed bars which protruded from the wall. A woman was pulled alongside the bars until her breasts were torn away.

Trivia & Comment

The Rippers somewhat resemble the iron tongs used for carrying large blocks of ice.

The descent to Hades is the same from every place. - Anaxagoras

All content and images, unless otherwise noted, is copyright Erik Rühling, and may not be reproduced or used without permission.
Background image: The Triumph of Death by Pieter Brueghel the Elder